Effect of Aqueous Extract on Total Phenolic Content and Antimitotic Activity of Ficus Benghalensis root on Allium Cepa Root Meristamatic cells

Objective: To evaluate aqueous extract of Ficus Benghalensis Linn. root for Total Phenolic Content and Antimitotic Activity on Allium Cepa Root Meristamatic cells.

Materials and Methods: The Ficus benghalensis Linn. root was extracted with distilled water solvent by maceration method. The plant extract is subjected to study total Phenolic content method. The extract is also tested for their antimitotic activity in Allium cepa root Meristamatic cells.

Result and Conclusion: The preliminary phytochemical screening of aqueous extract of Ficus Benghalensis Linn. root showed presence of high amount of total Phenolic content in 100 μg was found to be 13.72 μg of gallic acid equivalent. In Allium assay, aqueous extract of Ficus Benghalensis Linn. root (10 mg/ml) and methotrexate showed significant concentration dependant inhibitory influence against the dividing cells of Allium roots and decreased root growth and mitotic index as compared to control distilled water. The result indicated that antimitotic activity is due to presence of phenolic, alkaloids and flavonoids compounds in 10 mg/ml concentration of aqueous extract of Ficus Benghalensis root.

Conclusion: On the basis of result, we concluded that, 10 mg/ml concentration of Ficus Benghalensis root shows good antimitotic activity on the Allium cepa root tip assay.

Keywords: Ficus Benghalensis; Allium cepa; Antimitotic; Maceration; Methotrexate